McClain: Quick fixes can turn around Texans' defense

CommentaryRunning game upgrades prove anything possible

JOHN McCLAIN , Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle

Published
6:30 am CST, Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Many of you have e-mailed my blog on Chron.com and called me on 610 AM asking how the Texans are going to fix a pathetic defense when coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith are still in charge?

Here's the way I look at it: After the 2009 season, Kubiak said his two priorities were improving a running game that ranked 30th and a red-zone offense that ranked 12th in touchdowns and 22nd in scoring.

Changes had to be made in the offensive staff. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left for Washington and was replaced by Rick Dennison. Kubiak added Greg Knapp as quarterbacks coach.

Alex Gibbs, the assistant head coach who oversaw the offensive line, bolted for Seattle. That meant John Benton was finally in charge of the offensive line after working under Gibbs and his predecessor, Mike Sherman.

Dennison recommended the Texans sign free-agent guard Wade Smith, and he started on the left side. The remaining players in the offensive lineup were already in place.

Working with some new coaches and one free-agent starter, the Texans improved the running game to seventh, and Arian Foster led the NFL with 1,616 yards rushing, 2,220 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns.

Wade Phillips will have a healthy DeMeco Ryans, Mario Williams (90) and Connor Barwin to work with.

Wade Phillips will have a healthy DeMeco Ryans, Mario Williams (90) and Connor Barwin to work with.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

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Wade Phillips will have a healthy DeMeco Ryans, Mario Williams (90) and Connor Barwin to work with.

Wade Phillips will have a healthy DeMeco Ryans, Mario Williams (90) and Connor Barwin to work with.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

McClain: Quick fixes can turn around Texans' defense

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Running game improved

The improvement of the running game helped to elevate the red-zone offense to fifth in touchdowns and second in points.

The Texans finished third in offense, including fourth in passing. They were sixth in touchdowns, first in touchdowns rushing, tied for fourth in first downs rushing, third in average per carry and first in scoring drives of 80 or more yards — despite having the worst average starting field position in the NFL.

Now the Texans have to make similar improvement in a defense that finished 30th, 13th against the run and 32nd against the pass.

The transformation began with the hiring of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator. Vance Joseph was hired last week to coach the secondary. Reggie Herring could be hired as early as today to coach linebackers.

In retrospect, Smith, Kubiak and the defensive coaches misjudged the defense coming off the 9-7 record in 2009 when the unit tied for 13th overall, tied for 10th against the run and 18th against the pass.

The Texans need to sign some free agents, including a big-time cornerback, and use the early part of the draft, including the 11th pick in the first round, to fortify a defense that can be the difference between another losing season and making the playoffs.

As a defensive coordinator, Phillips' teams have made remarkable improvement in his first season.

One reason a defensive metamorphosis shouldn't be all that difficult is that the Texans were terrible on that side of the ball for one season. It's not like the defense had been horrendous the last several years. It ranked in the top half in 2009 but bottomed out last season.

Phillips' defenses usually register more sacks in his first season. The Texans recorded 30 last season. They also forced 18 turnovers - nine fewer than 2009 - and only three teams forced less.

The Texans have to reduce their 427 points allowed and, of course, elevate their number of victories.

Can all that be done? Sure.

Will it be done? It better be or owner Bob McNair may order a total house cleaning in 2012.